P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The race director role has been in the spotlight after Niels Wittich was removed shortly before the end of the 204 season.
The FIA has announced the appointment of a new deputy F1 race director, completing the race control restructuring. Rui Marques will continue as F1 race director for the 2025 season, with Claire Dubbelman as his deputy, as reported by The Race. Dubbelman, previously the FIA’s F1 sporting manager, brings experience from managing championships like FIA F2 and FIA F3 since joining in 2017. She is a graduate of the FIA’s High Performance Programme, focused on developing stewards and officials for future races. With Marques and Dubbelman in control, following Niels Wittich’s sudden removal, race control has seen significant changes, including a Remote Operations support center similar to football’s VAR system. RacingNews365 has sought confirmation from the FIA amid the restructuring in race control.
